Eyewear For Sports

ABSTRACT

A method for training an athlete is provided. The method includes equipping the athlete with eyewear having a first lens ( 205 ) which extends over the field of vision of a first eye, wherein the first lens has first ( 207 ) and second ( 209 ) distinct optical regions which impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by undistorted central vision and distorted peripheral vision; and causing the athlete to undertake a training exercise which replicates a motion required by the sport the athlete is being trained for.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application61/527,343, filed Aug. 25, 2011, having the same title and the sameinventor, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains generally to eyewear, and moreparticularly to the use in sports of eyewear which imparts tunnel visionor a similar effect to the user, thus causing the wearer to focus on acentral subject and also inducing subtle inner ear reflexes which mayhelp to improve the athletic performance of the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eyewear is currently known to the art which features lenses equippedwith first and second optical regions having first and second distinctoptical powers. Common bifocal lenses are one example of such eyewear.Bifocals are frequently prescribed to patients diagnosed with presbyopia(a progressively diminished ability to focus on near field objects withage) who further require correction for other visual impairments such asmyopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. In a common configuration, the lowercenter portion of a bifocal lens provides for near-sighted vision, whilethe remainder of the lens provides for distance correction.

The use of eyewear in sports is also well known. For example, skiersfrequently wear polarizing goggles to enable them to see the terrain ofthe slopes better, especially on sunny days. The use of such eyewearalso serves an obvious protective function.

The use of corrective eyewear in sports is also common. For example,many athletes wear contact lenses, especially in contact sports, tocorrect for astigmatism and other deficiencies in their vision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method for training an athlete is provided. The methodcomprises (a) equipping the athlete with eyewear having a first lenswhich extends over the field of vision of a first eye, wherein the firstlens has first and second distinct regions which impart vision to thefirst eye which is characterized by central vision having a firstoptical quality and peripheral vision having a second optical qualitywhich is different from said first optical quality; and causing theathlete to undertake a training exercise which replicates a motionrequired by the sport the athlete is being trained for.

In another aspect, a method for training an athlete is provided. Themethod comprises (a) equipping the athlete with eyewear having a firstlens which extends over the field of vision of a first eye, wherein thefirst lens has first and second distinct regions which impart vision tothe first eye which is characterized by a first central and firstperipheral vision, wherein the first central vision has a first opticalquality that is not shared by the first peripheral vision; and (b)causing the athlete to undertake a training exercise which replicates amotion required by the sport the athlete is being trained for.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first particular, non-limiting embodimentof a set of eyeglasses made in accordance with the teachings herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second particular, non-limitingembodiment of a set of eyeglasses made in accordance with the teachingsherein.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of anophthalmic lens made in accordance with the teachings herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the use of eyewear in sports is fairly prevalent, such use hasbeen directed primarily at vision enhancement and protection. However,the beneficial effects which may be achieved in sports with eyewearwhich selectively modifies different fields of the user's vision (e.g.,by imparting different optical characteristics or perceptual experienceto those fields so as to create, for example, a condition ofnear-sightedness or tunnel vision) has heretofore been unappreciated.

It has now been found that such eyewear can have a profound effect, as atraining tool or as a performance enhancement device, in sports wherethe user's visual focus is important in achieving a desired result.Without wishing to be bound by theory, the use of the eyewear disclosedherein is believed to cause the wearer to focus on a central subject,and to also induce subtle inner ear reflexes which may help to improvethe athletic performance of the wearer. For example, in golf,maintaining good visual focus frequently goes hand-in-hand with themechanics of properly swinging a golf club, with the result that manyflaws in a golfer's swing can be traced to failure by the golfer tomaintain proper focus on the ball throughout the swing. However, it hasnow been found that, if a golfer is equipped with eyewear of the typedisclosed herein, many of the problems associated with an improper swingcan be avoided, overcome, minimized or otherwise ameliorated, thusallowing the user to train with a proper swing and to develop the musclememory needed to replicate a proper swing on the golf course. Similarresults may be achieved in other sports, especially those in which theathlete's visual focus has a significant effect on proper mechanics.

FIG. 1 discloses a first particular, non-limiting embodiment of eyewearwhich may be utilized in the practice of the methodologies disclosedherein. The eyewear 201 disclosed therein is a set of eyeglasses havingfirst 205 and second 211 lenses. As used herein, the term “lens” refersmerely to a portion of the eyeglasses that covers a portion of theuser's field of vision, and does not by itself imply any particularoptical characteristic or effect. The first lens 205 has first 207 andsecond 209 regions defined therein, and the second lens 211 has third213 and fourth 215 regions defined therein. Any of the first 207, second209, third 213 and fourth 215 regions may be optical regions (that is,may impart an optical effect to the user's vision). These regions may beplaced in various locations in the lenses, but preferably, the first 207and third 213 regions are situated within the lens so that they aredisposed over all or a portion of the central portion of the user'svision, and the second 209 and fourth 215 regions are situated withinthe lens so that they are disposed over all or a portion of theperipheral portion of the user's vision.

In one preferred embodiment, the optical characteristics of the first207 and third 213 regions are the same, and the optical characteristicsof the second 209 and fourth 215 regions are the same, althoughembodiments are also possible in which the optical characteristics ofany of the first 207, second 209, third 213 and fourth 215 opticalregions may independently be the same or different. For example, in onepreferred embodiment, the color and/or tinting of the first 207 andthird 213 regions is the same, the color and/or tinting of the second209 and fourth 215 regions is the same, and the color and/or tinting ofthe first 207 and second 209 regions is different.

Even more preferably, the first 207 and third 213 regions may have alesser degree of color and/or tinting (and preferably, no color ortinting) (as measured, for example, by darkness, saturation or hue), andthe second 209 and fourth 215 regions may have a greater degree of colorand/or tinting (and preferably, a pronounced degree of color and/ortinting). This has the effect of dimming the peripheral portion of theuser's vision, thus creating a tunnel vision effect of the type referredto above which is characterized by clear and bright central vision and adarkened peripheral vision.

In another preferred embodiment, the optical power of the first 207 andthird 213 regions is the same, and the optical power of the second 209and fourth 215 regions is the same. Preferably, the first 207 and third213 regions impart normal (e.g., 20/20) vision to the user in the fieldof vision they cover, and hence, the optical characteristics of thisregion may be selected in light of the user's vision. By contrast, theoptical characteristics of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions arepreferably selected to impart other than 20/20 vision to the user, andmore preferably are selected to impart distorted, blurred, or occludedvision to the user in the field of vision they cover. Most preferably,the optical characteristics of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions areselected so that, taken in conjunction with the first 207 and third 213regions, the eyewear imparts a condition of tunnel vision ornear-sightedness to the user which is characterized by clear centralvision and a peripheral vision that is distorted or “out-of-focus”.

Various means may be utilized to create regions with different opticalcharacteristics for the purposes of the teachings herein. The opticalcharacteristics may be, for example, color, tint, optical power,polarization, specularity, diffusiveness, degree of clarity, degree ofobfuscation, optical reflectivity (over one or more wavelengths),optical transmission (over one or more wavelengths), the presence orabsence of visual artifacts, degree of vision correction, or variouscombinations or subcombinations of the foregoing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second particular, non-limiting embodiment ofeyewear which may be utilized in the methodologies described herein. Theeyewear 301 in this embodiment comprises a set of glasses 302 equippedwith a clip 321 that releasably engages a flip frame 319. The glasses302 are otherwise conventional and comprise a first frame 303 withinwhich is set first 323 and second 325 lenses. In some implementations ofthis embodiment, the glasses 302 may be prescription glasses to impartcorrected (and hence normal) vision to users with vision problems. Inother implementations, the glasses may simply comprise clear glass orplastic that does not provide any vision correction.

The flip frame 319 comprises a second frame 333 within which is set afirst 305 lens comprising first 307 and second 309 regions, and a second311 lens comprising third 313 and fourth 315 regions. The first 305 andsecond 311 lens, and the first 307, second 309, third 313 and fourth 315regions may be of the type described with respect to their analogouscomponents in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

In use, when it is desired to impart tunnel vision, near-sightedness, orto otherwise modify the user's vision for the purposes described herein,the user simply flips the flip frame 319 into place over the first 323and second 325 lenses, whereupon the eyewear 301 functions in a mannersimilar to the eyewear of FIG. 1. Hence, this embodiment provides theuser with ready access to the advantages of the eyewear describedherein, while also providing the user with the protection or use ofconventional eyewear when such advantages are not needed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third particular, non-limiting embodiment ofeyewear which may be utilized in the methodologies described herein. Theeyewear in this embodiment comprises an ophthalmic lens 401 having first407 and second 409 regions defined therein. If the user wears anophthalmic lens of this type in each eye, the first 407 and second 409regions in the two lenses may be the same or different.

The first 407 and second 409 regions may be of the type described in theembodiments above, and preferably cooperate to induce tunnel vision orshort-sightedness, or to otherwise manipulate the vision of the user inthe manner described herein. Methods which may be used to make anophthalmic lens of this type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,993(Matsui), which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be desirable toconstruct lenses having a first region characterized by a first degreeof optical distortion d₁ and a second region characterized by a seconddegree of optical distortion d₂, wherein d₁<d₂. In such embodiments, d₁may be very small or may be essentially 0, and d₂ may be in the range,for example, of greater than 2%, greater than 5%, greater than 10%, orgreater than 20%.

Various methodologies for measuring the degree of optical distortion maybe utilized in fabricating such embodiments. One such methodology isdescribed, for example, in the ASTM F2156-11 standard entitled “StandardTest Method for Measuring Optical Distortion in Transparent Parts UsingGrid Line Slope”. In some implementations of this type of embodiment,the optical distortion may maintain or expand the image in the center ofthe field of view and compress the image in the periphery of the fieldof view. Examples of lenses capable of performing such a functionalitymay be found, for example, in U.S. 2012/0206627 (Reshidko et al.), whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be desirable toconstruct lenses having a first region characterized by a first %transmission T₁ to visible light and a second region characterized by asecond % transmission T₂ to visible light. In such embodiments, thedifference in % transmission (T₁−T₂) is preferably at least 10%, morepreferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, and mostpreferably in the range of about 25% to about 50%. The % transmissionmay be expressed in various ways including, for example, the averagetransmission over the visible region of the spectrum, or the minimum ormaximum transmission over the visible region of the spectrum.

In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be desirable toconstruct lenses having a first region characterized as being relativelyfree of optical occlusions, and a second region which contains opticalocclusions. The occlusions may be, for example, particles or featureswhich specularly or diffusely scatter, reflect light or absorb lightover the visible region of the spectrum. Preferably, the first region isessentially devoid of such optical occlusions so that it provides littleor no scattering, reflection or absorption of visible light, while thesecond region provides at least some scattering, reflection orabsorption of visible light. The amount of scattering, reflection orabsorption of visible light in the second region may be, for example, atleast 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, or at least 50%, but ispreferably within the range of about 25% to about 50%, while the amountof scattering, reflection or absorption of visible light in the firstregion is preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than about 5%,and even more preferably less than about 2%. The % of scattering,reflection or absorption may be expressed in various ways including, forexample, the average scattering, reflection or absorption over thevisible region of the spectrum, or the minimum or maximum scattering,reflection or absorption over the visible region of the spectrum.

In some embodiments, the second region may have visible features (suchas, for example, printed features) disposed thereon or therein, and thefirst region may be free of such features or contain a lower incidenceof them. The features may include, for example, dots, lines, curves,geometrical figures or patterns, or the like. In other embodiments,perforations in the lenses may be used in place of, or in addition to,such features.

In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be desirable toconstruct lenses having a first region characterized as having a highertransmission or a lower reflectivity or absorption, and a second regioncharacterized as having a lower transmission or a higher reflectivity orabsorption. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing orapplying an optically reflective or absorbing film to (or over) thesecond region but not to (or over) the first region, or by providing anoptically reflective or absorbing film to (or over) both regions andselectively removing it from the first region. A similar effect may beprovided by applying an optically reflective or absorbing pigment to (orover) the second region but not to (or over) the first region, byproviding a higher density of the reflective or absorbing pigment orfilm to (or over) the second region than the first region, or byapplying first and second reflective or absorbing films to the first andsecond regions, wherein the second reflective film has a higherreflectivity than the first reflective film.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the reflective films or pigmentsmay also be polarizing films or pigments. Moreover, the opticalreflectivity or absorption of the second region to visible light may be,for example, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, or at least 50%,but is preferably within the range of about 25% to about 50%, while theoptical reflectivity or absorption of the first region to visible lightis preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than about 5%, andeven more preferably less than about 2%.

In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be desirable toconstruct lenses in which the first region is characterized as having afirst color or hue (or being colorless), and in which the second regionis characterized as having a second color or hue. The first and secondcolors or hues are preferably distinct, but may also (or instead) differin value or saturation. Preferably, the second color is darker or cooler(e.g., more towards the blue end of the spectrum) than the first color.Most preferably, the first region is colorless, and the second region isselected from the group consisting of green, blue or violet.

The first, second, third and fourth regions may have various shapes andmay independently be, for example, elliptical, circular, polygonal(including, for example, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal andoctagonal), or irregular in shape.

The dimensions of the first, second, third and fourth regions may varyfrom one implementation to another. Typically, the first and thirdregions have a major dimension within the range of about 4 mm to about75 mm, preferably within the range of about 8 mm to about 50 mm, morepreferably within the range of about 15 mm to about 35 mm, and mostpreferably within the range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm. Thedimensions of the second and fourth regions may also vary, and willtypically de dictated by such considerations as style, gender of theuser, the dimensions of popular or available frames, and the like.

In some embodiments, the boundaries between the first and second regionsand the third and fourth regions may be sharply defined. In otherembodiments, these regions may be blurred, may transition gradually intoeach other, or may be separated from each other by an intervening regionwhich may be optically distinct from the first and second regions.

While the eyewear disclosed herein has frequently been described aslenses having two distinct optical regions thereon, one skilled in theart will appreciate that a larger number of optical regions may beutilized to a similar effect.

The eyewear disclosed herein may be utilized in various activities, butis especially suitable for training activities for sports. The eyeweardisclosed herein is especially suitable for sports or activities inwhich the athlete's or user's visual focus has a significant effect onproper mechanics and/or the development of muscle memory. Somenon-limiting examples of sports that the eyewear may be utilized ininclude golf, tennis (or various other racquet sports), baseball,football, basketball, volleyball, fencing, bowling, marksmanship andgymnastics. It will be appreciated that the eyewear disclosed herein maybe especially useful in particular drills or training exercises forthese or other sports or activities. It will further be appreciated thatthe eyewear disclosed herein may be especially useful in particulardrills or training exercises for an athlete which replicate a motionrequired by the sport the athlete is being trained for.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

As used herein, the term “essentially”, as used in reference to ageometric shape or figure (e.g., “essentially elliptical”), means thatone skilled in the art would describe the item in question as having thedesignated shape or figure, notwithstanding slight deviations orimperfections in the item that might prevent it from meeting the strictmathematical definition of such a shape or figure. When used inreference to a number k, “essentially” k shall mean k±0.05 k. Moreover,the disclosure of “essentially” k shall be taken to be a disclosure ofboth “essentially” k and k as possible values for the parameter inquestion.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of the devices and methodologies disclosed hereinhave been described. Variations of these preferred embodiments maybecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. It is expected that skilled artisans will employsuch variations as appropriate, and it is further expected that thedevices and methodologies disclosed herein may be practiced other thanas specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure is to beconstrued as including all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A method for training an athlete, comprising: equipping the athletewith eyewear having a first lens which extends over the field of visionof a first eye, wherein the first lens has first and second distinctregions which impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by afirst central and first peripheral vision, wherein the first centralvision has a first optical quality that is not shared by the firstperipheral vision; and causing the athlete to undertake a trainingexercise which replicates a motion required by the sport the athlete isbeing trained for.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond regions impart vision to the first eye which is characterized byan undistorted first central vision and a distorted first peripheralvision.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first region transmitsvisible light with a lower degree of optical distortion than said secondregion.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the degree of opticaldistortion is measured using the ASTM F2156-11 standard test method. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions impartvision to the first eye which is characterized by an uncolored firstcentral vision and a colored first peripheral vision.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second regions impart vision to the firsteye which is characterized by an untinted first central vision and atinted first peripheral vision.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second regions impart vision to the first eye which ischaracterized by a polarized first central vision and an unpolarizedfirst peripheral vision.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said firstregion is characterized by a higher % transmission than said secondregion.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first region does notdistort the vision of the first eye along the line of sight.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first lens imparts tunnel vision to thefirst eye.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and secondregions are characterized by first and second distinct optical powers12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sport is golf, and wherein themotion is the swing of a golf club.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinthe sport is tennis, and wherein the motion is the swing of a tennisracket.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sport is baseball, andwherein the motion is the swing of a bat.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein the first optical region is centrally disposed in the field ofvision of the first eye.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondregion is disposed adjacent to the first region.
 17. The method of claim1, wherein said first region is centrally disposed in the field ofvision of the first eye, and wherein said second region is disposedperipheral to said first region.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein saidfirst region is centrally disposed in the field of vision of the firsteye, and wherein said second region is disposed peripheral to, andaround, said first region.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said firstregion is centrally disposed over the line of sight of the first eye,and wherein said second region is disposed over the peripheral vision ofthe first eye.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first and secondregions produce a condition of near-sightedness in the first eye. 21.The method of claim 19, wherein said first and second regions produce acondition of tunnel vision in the first eye.
 22. The method of claim 1,wherein the eyewear is a pair of eye glasses.
 23. The method of claim 1,wherein the eyewear is a pair of contact lenses.
 24. The method of claim1, wherein the eyewear further comprises a second lens which extendsover the field of vision of a second eye, and wherein the second lenshas third and fourth regions which impart vision to the second eye whichis characterized by a second central and second peripheral vision,wherein the second central vision has a second optical quality that isnot shared by the second peripheral vision.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the first and second optical qualities are the same.
 26. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the first and second optical qualities aredifferent.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the second lens has thirdand fourth regions therein characterized by third and fourth distinctoptical powers.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and thirdoptical powers are the same.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thesecond and fourth optical powers are the same.
 30. The method of claim1, wherein the first region is essentially circular.
 31. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first region is essentially elliptical.
 32. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical regions areessentially circular and concentric.
 33. The method of claim 32, whereinthe second optical region is disposed around the first optical region.